Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Fireside Chat

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the 32nd president of the United States and holds the record for longest running president in American history. The Democrat began his journey as President during a unique time; the Great Depression, a time in America’s history in which the country was facing its most severe economic struggles ever. Proclaimed to be the first modern president of the United States of America, many regard him as one of the best presidents to ever be in office. Successes such as the signing of The New Deal, uniting and modernizing the country through Fireside Chats, and his contributions as an allied leader during World War II all led him to be known as one of the most profound, impactful, and incomparable presidents in the country’s

“The Banking Crisis” informally addressed his policies to the American public. The thirteen minute video was just the beginning of a chain of broadcasts that would soon capture the country and become a national phenomena. During this chat he spoke to the American people about the recent banking holiday and what actions were to be taken to prevent the banking crisis from worsening. His chats interested the people because in the broadcasts his tone contained the aura that he was talking with the American people, and not to them. His friendly demeanour encouraged hundreds of thousands of Americans to purchase and add radios into their home. The popular trend of relatively ‘big’ purchases such as radios, consequently gave a boost to the economy and ultimately kickstarted the beginning of average American homes and families becoming more modern. In accordance to the increase of American families buying and listening to radios, began a unionized feeling across the county amalgamating citizens from east to west. Fireside chats gave a sense of hope to the many, many who were facing extremely harsh conditions. The ten-year span of the chats covered prominent new regulations imposed by FDR’s government, internal news, updates on world news, and much more. “We have the men — the skill — the wealth — and above all, the will.”, Roosevelt states in the 16th Fireside Chat,

After the Japanese attacked American soil in December 1942, the United States filled with panic, particularly along the Pacific coast where it was feared that there would be even more Japanese attacks on American cities, homes, and businesses. During this time period in America, it was popular for Japanese immigrants to immigrate to the United States with the hope of decent living, jobs, a new start, and freedom. Japanese-Americans were frowned upon and stereotyped because of their descent after Pearl Harbour. However, Japanese immigrants contributed to economic expansion of the United States. Caucasians resented the Japanese immigrants, but reaped economic profit from the Japanese-American residents’ discipline and hard work. Japanese-Americans of this time seem to be attacked; however, they chose to uphold their disconnection with the rest of the Americans. Many Japanese felt they had superiority over Americans, creating even tension and disconnection (“Frail”). Due to pressure on the west coast, President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which led to the violent and infamous result of 120,000 Japanese-Americans becoming imprisoned (“Frail”). "I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of